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Trinity Christian names Fowler football coach

Published: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 1:44 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 7:41 p.m.

DELTONA — Trinity Christian has hired Greg Fowler — a former defensive coordinator at Pine Ridge, New Smyrna Beach and University — as its next head football coach.

Fowler, a 32-year-old father of five, spent the last two seasons as the head coach at Crystal River in Citrus County, where he went 11-9 and was named Florida Athletic Coaches Association District Coach of the Year for a 5-5 record in 2011.

Prior to that, he was an assistant at Pine Ridge (2007-09), New Smyrna Beach (2009) and University (2010). He also was an assistant at Belleview, Ocala Lake Weir and Camden-Frontier in Michigan.

Fowler succeeds Allen Johnson, who left after 10 seasons at a program he started. Under Johnson, the Eagles reached the playoffs six times, including a state-semifinal berth in 2007.

"There was a long and distinguished list of applicants for our head football coaching position, but after looking at what they all offered, we kept coming back to Greg Fowler,” Trinity Christian athletic director Buddy Shacklette said Thursday. “He has natural ties to the community and is a proven, young coach.''

Fowler was relieved from his coaching duties at Crystal River in November 2012 after an investigation found that he directed profanity toward players. Shacklette said Fowler was up front about the incident, and that he spoke with Crystal River principal Mark McCoy as well as administrators from Fowler's other stops before making the hire.

“(McCoy) had nothing but positive things to say,” Shacklette said.

“And we contacted the other principals that he worked with on previous stops and all of them said that at no time did they hear foul language from him on the field, at practice or in the classroom.”

Fowler said he made a mistake at Crystal River and that it would not be an issue moving forward.

“I made a mistake I shouldn't have, but all I can do is apologize and move forward with this opportunity,” he said. “I believe the people at Trinity have given me a second chance, and I will do my best to show them how much I appreciate it.

“I'm excited to have the opportunity to come back to the Deltona area and excited to have the opportunity at Trinity. Trinity has the potential of being a perennial powerhouse at the (Class) 2A level.

“I spent a lot of time (in Deltona) when I was with Pine Ridge and then with University, so my family has a lot of ties and a lot of friends there.”

Fowler and the Eagles will get their first test together May 23 in a spring exhibition game at Matanzas, a Class 5A program.

<p><b>DELTONA — </b> Trinity Christian has hired Greg Fowler — a former defensive coordinator at Pine Ridge, New Smyrna Beach and University — as its next head football coach.<ep></p><p>Fowler, a 32-year-old father of five, spent the last two seasons as the head coach at Crystal River in Citrus County, where he went 11-9 and was named Florida Athletic Coaches Association District Coach of the Year for a 5-5 record in 2011.<ep> </p><p>Prior to that, he was an assistant at Pine Ridge (2007-09), New Smyrna Beach (2009) and University (2010). He also was an assistant at Belleview, Ocala Lake Weir and Camden-Frontier in Michigan.<ep></p><p>Fowler succeeds Allen Johnson, who left after 10 seasons at a program he started. Under Johnson, the Eagles reached the playoffs six times, including a state-semifinal berth in 2007.<ep></p><p>"There was a long and distinguished list of applicants for our head football coaching position, but after looking at what they all offered, we kept coming back to Greg Fowler,” Trinity Christian athletic director Buddy Shacklette said Thursday. “He has natural ties to the community and is a proven, young coach.''<ep></p><p>Fowler was relieved from his coaching duties at Crystal River in November 2012 after an investigation found that he directed profanity toward players. Shacklette said Fowler was up front about the incident, and that he spoke with Crystal River principal Mark McCoy as well as administrators from Fowler's other stops before making the hire. <ep></p><p>“(McCoy) had nothing but positive things to say,” Shacklette said. <ep></p><p>“And we contacted the other principals that he worked with on previous stops and all of them said that at no time did they hear foul language from him on the field, at practice or in the classroom.” <ep></p><p>Fowler said he made a mistake at Crystal River and that it would not be an issue moving forward. <ep></p><p>“I made a mistake I shouldn't have, but all I can do is apologize and move forward with this opportunity,” he said. “I believe the people at Trinity have given me a second chance, and I will do my best to show them how much I appreciate it. <ep></p><p>“I'm excited to have the opportunity to come back to the Deltona area and excited to have the opportunity at Trinity. Trinity has the potential of being a perennial powerhouse at the (Class) 2A level.<ep></p><p>“I spent a lot of time (in Deltona) when I was with Pine Ridge and then with University, so my family has a lot of ties and a lot of friends there.”<ep></p><p>Fowler and the Eagles will get their first test together May 23 in a spring exhibition game at Matanzas, a Class 5A program. <ep></p>